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Sometimes, it just takes a change of scenery to help us find new energy and gain a fresh perspective on life. And in The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren, an unexpected vacation causes two people to see everything—including each other—in a whole new light.
The story begins with a wedding. Olive Torres’s twin sister, Ami, is getting married in a lavish ceremony that’s almost entirely made up of contest winnings—right down to the bridesmaids’ hideous green dresses. But Ami’s lifelong good luck grinds to a sudden halt when the complimentary seafood buffet gives everyone food poisoning—everyone but Olive and the groom’s obnoxious brother, Ethan, who both opted for chicken. That means that they’re also the only two left to take advantage of the non-refundable honeymoon in Maui. So despite their total dislike of each other, Olive and Ethan end up together in paradise, forced to pose as newlyweds.
The writing duo known as Christina Lauren definitely has a way with chick lit. Like earlier novels, The Unhoneymooners is engaging and often laugh-out-loud funny, with characters that readers will fall in love with—and a side of steamy romance, too.
Olive is a lovably down-and-out character—the other twin, who’s spent her life in her luckier, more outgoing, more graceful sister’s shadow. She may be smart and witty and every bit as pretty as her sister, but she’s always felt insecure about who she is. Now, after losing her job and her roommate, she’s getting by on sarcasm and baked goods—and she could definitely use a free vacation.
Unfortunately for Olive, she ends up stuck with Ethan, who’s painfully handsome but a complete nightmare in every other way. Since the first time they met, years ago, they’ve always clashed. He’s snobbish and rude, and Olive fears that their “honeymoon” together might be anything but a vacation. But even in Ethan’s pricklier moments, readers will still love his playfulness and humor.
And, of course, it’s no big surprise where this setup is headed, but it makes the formula fun again. And as the two enemies are forced to spend time together, posing as husband and wife, they start to realize that they may have jumped to some unfair conclusions. The rest of the story may not be unexpected, but it’s entirely enjoyable—a series of wacky mishaps, dream adventures, romance, and meddling from Olive’s tight-knit Mexican-American family. And it all makes for a light and wildly entertaining read that’s the perfect pick for your own vacation.
Whether you’re packing your bags for somewhere tropical or you just wish you were, you’ll enjoy this fun-filled romance from a writing team that knows its way around contemporary romance. It’s sure to bring a little sunshine and warmth—and plenty of laughs, too.
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